Ray Martin (b. 1944)
Alias:
Raymond George Grace
Raymond George Martin
Born:
December 20, 1944
Ray Martin is an Australian television presenter, journalist and entertainment personality. He is among the most awarded stars of Australian television, having won five Logie Awards. Martin began working for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1965. In 1969, he became the ABC's New York City correspondent for 10 years covering a wide range of topics. In 1978 he joined the Nine Network to launch 60 Minutes. From 1985-1993 he presented a daily variety show "Midday with Ray Martin" and hosted various specials, interviewing entertainment celebrities including Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams, Elton John, Jim Carrey, Michael Douglas, Billy Crystal, Jodie Foster, Michael Crawford, Paul Hogan, Russell Crowe and Madonna. Martin hosted "A Current Affair" from 1994-1998 before returning to 60 Minutes to do special reports. In 2003 he resumed as host of A Current Affair and in December 2005 became the Nine Network's Senior Correspondent, assisting in reporting some major events including the Indonesian tsunami disaster in 2005. He has hosted diverse television events, from the Logie Awards, Commonwealth Games, World Cup Cricket, 1988 Bicentenary Spectacular and Federal and State Election nights to the aftermath of the 11 September terrorist attacks. Martin led the official broadcast of the World Youth Day event in Sydney in July 2008. Martin has also worked as a presenter for the Australian Special Broadcasting Service, In 2016 and 2017, and has hosted various prime time specials for commercial networks and a during Covid presented a satire of lifestyle television with a pandemic theme.